Radiometry systems and methods for dental applications

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader module, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more of the radiometer, curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration data storage device. In some preferred embodiments, the radiometer includes at least one communication module and the curing light includes at least one communication module. In such embodiments, the communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader module and restoration data storage device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/815,879, filed on Mar. 8, 2019, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to radiometers and curing lights for usein dental applications.

Description of the Related Art

Dental curing lights have been used for over three decades to polymerizecomposite materials for use as dental fillings. A dental clinicianplaces an unpolymerized composite material in a patient's mouth andconfigures it according to clinical needs, and then subsequently rapidlypolymerizes the material using the curing light so that it becomes arigid dental filling. The basic types of dental curing light sources aretungsten halogen, light-emitting diode (LED), plasma arc, and laser.

The use of a radiometer in combination with a curing light allows adental clinician to measure the light output of the curing light. Anumber of factors determine the degree of polymerization, including (1)the intensity of the curing light, (2) the depth of the restoration, (3)the shade of the composite material, (4) the type of filler and thechemistry of the composite material, (5) the age of the material, and(6) the wavelength of the light applied for curing.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,436 to Friedman (“the '436 patent”) discloses aradiometer and a method for providing an indication of the amount oftime needed to cause a light-curable dental resin composite material tooptimally polymerize in response to the application of light from anylight-curing source during the preparation of a dental restoration.However, the '436 patent does not include a component for communicationbetween the radiometer and curing light used therewith or a method forelectronically tracking information regarding the restorative materialused to treat a specific patient.

Thus there remains a need for a dental radiometry system that includes acomponent for communication between a radiometer and a curing light usedtherewith and that allows electronic transmission of information relatedto the restorative material used in a given restoration.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry indental applications. The disclosed systems comprise a radiometer, adental curing light, a composite material reader module, and arestoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer,dental curing light, composite material reader module, and restorationdata storage device comprise one or more communication modules thatenable wireless communication between one or more of the radiometer,curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration datastorage device. The one or more communication modules may comprise oneor more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or other radio frequency-basedmodules. In alternative embodiments, the one or more communicationmodules may comprise one or more infrared or other optically-basedmodules. In some preferred embodiments, the radiometer comprises atleast one communication module and the curing light also comprises atleast one communication module. In such embodiments, the communicationmodules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer andthe curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curinglight and one or more of the composite material reader module andrestoration data storage device. In some embodiments, additionalcommunication modules may also act to relay signals between othercommunication modules, such as to extend the range of communication, orto convert transmissions between different formats, such as Wi-Fi toBluetooth or ZigBee to infrared.

In some embodiments, the disclosed systems may further comprise acomposite material reader module. The composite material reader modulemay comprise a bar code reader, QR code reader, NFC tag reader, or anyother similar device. The composite material reader module may allow auser to obtain information from a package or container of a compositematerial that is labeled with a readable code, chip, mark, or tag suchas by a bar code, QR code, or NFC tag. In some alternative embodiments,the composite material reader module may compromise an image scannerthat can detect text or images to obtain information from a labelassociated with a package or container of a composite material.

In some embodiments, the disclosed systems may further comprise arestoration data storage device. In some embodiments, the restorationdata storage device may comprise a computer configured to receiveinformation from the radiometer. The restoration data storage device maypreferably comprise one or more communication modules that areconfigured to wirelessly communicate with at least the communicationmodule of the radiometer. The restoration data storage devicecommunication modules may comprise one or more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee,or other radio frequency-based modules. In alternative embodiments, theone or more restoration data storage device communication modules maycomprise one or more radio frequency, infrared, or other optically-basedmodules.

Methods of using the disclosed systems to optimally cure a light-curablecomposite material are also disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the disclosed systems.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the radiometer used inthe disclosed systems.

FIG. 3a shows a housing assembly of an embodiment of the radiometer usedin the disclosed systems, wherein a sample holder for holding a testsample of light-curable material is shown separated from the radiometeradjacent to a light guide for a standard light source.

FIG. 3b shows a view of the sample holder shown in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3c shows another view of the sample holder shown in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the radiometer and curing light used inthe disclosed systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry indental applications. The disclosed systems comprise a radiometer, adental curing light, a composite material reader module, and arestoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer,dental curing light, composite material reader module, and restorationdata storage device comprise one or more communication modules thatenable wireless communication between one or more of the radiometer,curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration datastorage device. The one or more communication modules may comprise oneor more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or other radio frequency-basedmodules. In alternative embodiments, the one or more communicationmodules may comprise one or more infrared or other optically-basedmodules. In some preferred embodiments, the radiometer comprises atleast one communication module and the curing light also comprises atleast one communication module. In such embodiments, the communicationmodules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer andthe curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curinglight and one or more of the composite material reader module andrestoration data storage device. In some embodiments, additionalcommunication modules may also act to relay signals between othercommunication modules, such as to extend the range of communication, orto convert transmissions between different formats, such as Wi-Fi toBluetooth or ZigBee to infrared.

In some embodiments, the radiometer may further comprise amicroprocessor and a memory module, where the microprocessor isconfigured to record information for storage on the memory module. Insuch embodiments, the one or more communication modules of theradiometer are preferably configured to obtain information stored on thememory module and wirelessly transmit said information.

In some embodiments, the disclosed systems may further comprise acomposite material reader module. The composite material reader modulemay comprise a bar code reader, QR code reader, NFC tag reader, or anyother similar device. The composite material reader module may allow auser to obtain information from a package or container of a compositematerial that is labeled with a readable code, chip, mark, or tag suchas by a bar code, QR code, or NFC tag. In some alternative embodiments,the composite material reader module may compromise an image scannerthat can detect text or images to obtain information from a labelassociated with a package or container of a composite material.

In some embodiments, the disclosed systems may further comprise arestoration data storage device. In some embodiments, the restorationdata storage device may comprise a computer configured to receiveinformation from the radiometer. The restoration data storage device maypreferably comprise one or more communication modules that areconfigured to wirelessly communicate with at least the communicationmodule that is attached to the radiometer. The restoration data storagedevice communication modules may comprise one or more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, or other radio frequency-based modules. In alternativeembodiments, the one or more restoration data storage devicecommunication modules may comprise one or more infrared or otheroptically-based modules.

Methods of using the disclosed systems to optimally cure a light-curablecomposite material are also disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the disclosed systems.The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a radiometer 100, a curinglight 110, a composite material reader module 120, and a computer 130,where each component comprises one or more communication modules (notshown) configured to transmit information between the components. Apackage of composite material 125 may have information stored on areadable code, chip, mark, or tag such as a bar code, QR code, or NFCtag. The composite material reader module 120 is configured to obtaininformation from the package of composite material 125 and is alsoconfigured to transmit information to the radiometer 100. The radiometer100 is configured to transmit information to the curing light 110 and tothe computer 130. The computer 130 may optionally store informationreceived from the radiometer 100 in a patient records database 135.

Radiometer

In some preferred embodiments, the disclosed systems may comprise aradiometer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,436 to Friedman (“the '436patent”) or a similar radiometer that includes additional features orremoves features as needed for optimum use in the disclosed systems. Anembodiment of the radiometer 200 is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of the internal electronic componentsof the radiometer 200. Accordingly, the radiometer 200 comprises adetector cell 201 for providing either an output voltage or a change inelectrical resistance in direct response to the degree of lightexposure. The detector cell 201 may comprise a light sensor such as asilicon, CMOS, or selenium detector cell or another light sensor. Inaddition, the radiometer 200 further comprises a microcontroller(microprocessor) 202, a battery 203, a display 204, an on/off functionswitch 205, and a mode switch 206. The display 204 may preferably be anLCD display. The mode switch 206 may be used to toggle between differentmodes of use of the radiometer 200. In some embodiments, the radiometermay be used in an “Optical Conversion” mode, a “Power” mode, an “Energy”mode, or a “Calibration” mode. When Optical Conversion mode is selected,the display 204 may provide a time display output that indicates theshortest exposure time to provide optimal composite cure for a sample ofuncured composite using any type of light source.

FIG. 3a shows a housing assembly of an embodiment of the radiometer usedin the disclosed systems, wherein a sample holder for holding a testsample of light-curable material is shown separated from the radiometeradjacent to a light guide for a standard light source. FIGS. 3b and 3cshow views of the sample holder shown in FIG. 3 a.

In Optical Conversion mode, a light curing source (not shown) with alight guide 211 may be used to cure a sample of an uncured light-curablecomposite material 225 as described below. A sample of uncuredlight-curable composite material 225 is placed in a sample holder 226 ofappropriate thickness for a given restoration. The sample holder 226 mayhave a thickness that corresponds to a typical required depth of adental restoration, and thus by varying the thickness of the sampleholder 226, the thickness of the sample 225 may be adjusted. The sample225 is held by a grip detail 227, as shown in FIG. 3c , and is insertedalong a groove or track 208, as shown in FIG. 3a , so that the samplesits directly over the detector window 207 of the light sensor. Thelight guide 211 is placed over the sample aligned with the detectorwindow 207 so that light may be transmitted through the sample 225.Optical Conversion mode is then selected using the mode switch 206. Thedisplay 204 displays the time needed to maximally cure the composite,i.e., curing will be stopped when the display shows a time correspondingto the exposure duration needed to achieve the composite cure for thesample composite that represents a time when the sample is cured inaccordance with the algorithm used in programming the microcontroller202. The microcontroller 202 may be programmed using an algorithm suchas the algorithm disclosed in the '436 patent. The extent of curing ofthe composite material may be 80-99.5% of the maximum possible curevalue. For most composite resin materials, the extent of composite curewill plateau at 45-70% of the maximum cure value (100%) for thematerial. The sampling rate used by the microcontroller 202 maypreferably be less than or equal to 0.1 Hz.

In Power mode, the radiometer 200 measures the curing light outputintensity. The intensity may preferably be displayed in W/cm² or mW/cm².The display 204 may preferably be programmed to update the displayedoutput intensity as long as the mode switch 206 is activated. The modeswitch 206 may, for example, be activated when a push button isdepressed. When the mode switch 206 is deactivated, such as by releasinga push button, the radiometer will continue to measure the curing lightoutput intensity but the display will correspond only to the peakmeasurements. This mode of using a radiometer is also termed“irradiance” in various references.

In Energy mode, the accumulated energy delivered to a composite materialmay be measured. The measurement may preferably be displayed in J or mJ.Activating the mode switch 206 may reset the measurement.

In Calibration mode, the radiometer may be calibrated using a standardlight source and a calibration filter that has the same or nearly thesame optical transmission characteristics as a fully cured dentalcomposite material. The calibration filter may preferably comprise apolymer material. The exposure time displayed may then be compared usingthe calibration filter and the light unit being tested. Themicrocontroller may be programmed to adjust the offset if a givensequence of switches is activated simultaneously or serially.

The on/off function switch 205 may be used to turn on the radiometer200. In some embodiments, the radiometer 200 may be programmed toautomatically turn off or enter a low power state if it is unused for aspecified period of time.

The display 204 may display real-time light intensity (power density),accumulated light energy delivered, or recommended exposure timedepending on the mode of operation. The display 204 may preferably be anLCD display.

In some embodiments, the light sensor may be a solid-state photodetector.

The radiometer may preferably be battery-operated.

FIG. 3b shows a view of the sample holder 226 shown in FIG. 3a ,including the grip detail 227.

FIG. 3c shows another view of the sample holder 226 shown in FIG. 3a ,including the grip detail 227 and the sample 225 loaded therein.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a radiometer 300 and curing light 310 usedin the disclosed systems. A clinician inserts a sample of compositematerial into a sample holder 326. In some embodiments, the sampleholder 326 may preferably have a depth of 2, 4, or 6 mm to accommodatedental restorations of various desired depths. The sample holder 326 isinserted into an optical reader port 307 of the radiometer 300. Usingthe same curing light and composite material to be used in therestoration procedure, the clinician polymerizes the sample compositematerial. As polymerization occurs, the minimum optimal cure time isdetermined by the radiometer as described in the '436 patent. The timeis displayed on the display 304. The communication module 309 enablestransmission of the optimal cure time information from the radiometer tothe curing light, and transmission of this and other information betweenthe radiometer and other components of the system. The communicationmodule 309 preferably includes an on-board memory module with sufficientmemory to store the information that will be transmitted from theradiometer to other components of the system. In some embodiments, theradiometer may be programmed to send a signal to the curing light whenthe optimum cure time has been reached and the curing light may beprogrammed to automatically turn off immediately upon receipt of saidsignal.

Curing Light

The disclosed systems further comprise a dental curing light. The dentalcuring light may be used to cure a light-curable composite material. Thecuring light may preferably comprise a light guide. The curing lightcomprises at least one communication module that allows transmission ofinformation from the radiometer to the curing light.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a curing light 310 used in the disclosedsystems, including a communication module 312. The communication modulemay be configured to receive information from the radiometer regardingthe optimum cure time for the composite material being used in a givenrestoration. In some embodiments, the curing light may be programmed toautomatically turn off once the optimum cure time has been reached.

In some embodiments, the radiometer may be programmed to send a signalto the curing light when the optimum cure time has been reached, and thecuring light may be programmed to automatically turn off immediatelyupon receipt of said signal.

Communication Modules

One or more components of the disclosed systems, namely the radiometer,curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration datastorage device, comprise one or more communication modules that enablewireless communication between the radiometer, curing light, compositematerial reader module, and restoration data storage device. The one ormore communication modules may comprise one or more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, or other radio frequency-based modules. In alternativeembodiments, the one or more communication modules may comprise one ormore infrared or other optically-based modules. Each of the one or morecommunication modules preferably includes an on-board memory module withsufficient memory to store the information that may be transmittedbetween the communication module and other communication modules orother components of the system, including both information that will betransmitted by the communication module and information that will bereceived by the communication module. In some preferred embodiments, theradiometer comprises at least one communication module and the curinglight also comprises at least one communication module. In suchembodiments, the communication modules may be used to transmitinformation between the radiometer and the curing light, and between oneor more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of thecomposite material reader module and restoration data storage devicedescribed below. In some embodiments, additional communication modulesmay also act to relay signals between other communication modules, suchas to extend the range of communication, or to convert transmissionsbetween different formats, such as Wi-Fi to Bluetooth or ZigBee toinfrared.

In some embodiments, the minimum amount of time required to optimallycure an uncured light-curable composite material may be wirelesslytransmitted from the radiometer to the curing light using thecommunication modules of the radiometer and curing light respectively.The curing light may preferably be configured to automatically turn offat the time at which the light-curable composite material in use hasbeen optimally cured. In other embodiments, a visual or audio signal,such as a flickering LED or a musical chime, may be used to indicatewhen the light-curable composite material in use has been optimallycured. The optimal curing time may be determined by the change in therate of cure, which depends on factors such as (1) the intensity of thecuring light, (2) the depth of the restoration, (3) the shade of thecomposite material, (4) the type of filler and the chemistry of thecomposite material, (5) the age of the material, and (6) the wavelengthof the light applied for curing.

Composite Material Reader Module

In some embodiments, the disclosed systems may further comprise acomposite material reader module. The composite material reader modulemay comprise a bar code reader, QR code reader, NFC tag reader, or anyother similar device. The composite material reader module may allow auser to obtain information from a package or container of alight-curable composite material that is labeled with a readable code,chip, mark, or tag such as by a bar code, QR code, or NFC tag. In somealternative embodiments, the composite material reader module maycompromise an image scanner that can detect text or images to obtaininformation from a label associated with a specific package or containerof a composite material.

In some embodiments, information that may be provided on the readablecode, chip, mark, or tag of a package or container of a light-curablecomposite material may include the type of material, manufacturer,serial number, lot code number, use-by date or expiration date, andspecification information for the material such as the shade of thematerial and other relevant information.

The composite material reader module may preferably comprise one or morecommunication modules. The one or more composite material reader modulecommunication modules may comprise one or more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee,or other radio frequency-based modules. In alternative embodiments, theone or more composite material reader module communication modules maycomprise one or more infrared or other optically-based modules in someembodiments, the one or more composite material reader modulecommunication modules may transmit data to the radiometer. In alternateembodiments, the one or more composite material reader modulecommunication modules may transmit data directly to the restoration datastorage device described below.

Information transmitted from the one or more composite material readermodule communication modules to the one or more radiometer communicationmodules or restoration data storage device communication modulesdescribed below may include the type of material, manufacturer, serialnumber, lot code number, use-by date or expiration date, andspecification information for the material such as the shade of thematerial and other relevant information.

In some embodiments, the composite material reader module may preferablybe a digital scanner.

Restoration Data Storage Device

The disclosed systems may further comprise a restoration data storagedevice. In some embodiments, the restoration data storage device maycomprise a computer configured to receive data from the radiometer. Therestoration data storage device may preferably comprise one or morecommunication modules that are configured to wirelessly communicate withat least the communication module of the radiometer. The one or morerestoration data storage device communication modules may comprise oneor more Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or other radio frequency-basedmodules. In alternative embodiments, the one or more restoration datastorage device communication modules may comprise one or more infraredor other optically-based modules.

Information transmitted from the one or more radiometer communicationmodules to the one or more restoration data storage device communicationmodules may include the depth of the restoration and the curing time.

Information transmitted from the one or more composite material readermodule communication modules to the one or more restoration data storagedevice communication modules may include the type of material,manufacturer, serial number, lot code number, use-by date or expirationdate, and specification information for the material such as the shadeof the material and other relevant information. In some embodiments,this information may be transmitted from the one or more compositematerial reader module communication modules to the one or moreradiometer communication modules and then from the one or moreradiometer communication modules to the one or more restoration datastorage device communication modules. In alternate embodiments, thisinformation may be transmitted directly from the one or more compositematerial reader module communication modules to the one or morerestoration data storage device communication modules.

Additional information recorded by the restoration data storage devicemay include the name of the patient and the date of placement of therestoration.

Advantages of Using Disclosed Systems

Wireless transmission of data using the disclosed systems providesnumerous advantages for clinicians performing dental restorations.Wireless transmission of data reduces or eliminates the possibility ofhuman error in recording the appropriate curing time or other relevantinformation. It allows dental clinicians to focus on patient treatmentrather than data recordation. In addition, in the event of a futureissue with a dental restoration such as breakage, discoloration, unusualwear, or an allergic reaction, a dental clinician would be able toaccess specific details regarding the restoration, including the type ofmaterial used, that would inform decisions regarding resolution of theissue. Moreover, by providing manufacturers of composite materials withinformation regarding the specific successes and failures of specificrestorations, manufacturers will be better informed and able to reachmore accurate and specific conclusions regarding issues such as whethera particular lot of material was defective or whether a particularuse-by date is appropriate for a given composite material. In addition,a manufacturer would be able to communicate information regarding adefective batch or lot of material and clinicians would be able toidentify necessary remedial measures on a patient-by-patient basis.

Wireless transmission of data using the disclosed systems may also beused to allow a computer to update and adapt a radiometer, a curinglight, or a composite material reader module to operate within thedisclosed systems. For example, a firmware upgrade may be pushed out bya computer. As another example, a computer may send instructions to acuring light restricting operation of the curing light to prevent a userfrom damaging a selected composite material. As yet another example, thecuring light output may be monitored or controlled using a handheldcomputer, such as a smartphone or tablet.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the inventiondisclosed herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure. The examples are intended tobe merely illustrative and are not intended to limit or otherwiserestrict the invention. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended tobe limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radiometry system for use in dentalapplications comprising: a. a radiometer comprising a detector cell, amicroprocessor, a memory module, and a first set of one or morecommunication modules; b. a curing light that is used to generate lightand that includes a second set of one or more communication modules; c.a composite material reader module that includes a third set of one ormore communication modules; and d. a restoration data storage devicethat includes a fourth set of one or more communication modules; whereinthe microprocessor is configured to record information for storage onthe memory module; wherein the intensity of the light generated by thecuring light is not controlled by the radiometer; and wherein theradiometer is programmed to determine the change in a rate of cure of alight-curable composite material and thereby determine whether anoptimum cure time has been reached for the light-curable compositematerial.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first set of one or morecommunications modules, the second set of one or more communicationmodules, the third set of one or more communication modules, and thefourth set of one or more communication modules are configured totransmit and receive information to and from the radiometer, the curinglight, the composite material reader module, and the restoration datastorage device.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the third set of one ormore communication modules is configured to transmit a first set ofinformation obtained from a package or container that contains alight-curable composite material. 4-18. (canceled)
 19. A method ofcuring a light-curable composite material used in a dental restorationcomprising using the system of claim
 1. 20. A method of curing alight-curable composite material used in a dental restoration comprisingusing the system of claim
 1. 21. The system of claim 3 wherein theradiometer is programmed to send a signal to the curing light when theoptimum cure time has been reached and the curing light is programmed toautomatically turn off immediately upon receipt of said signal.
 22. Thesystem of claim 21 wherein the composite material reader module includesa component that is configured to obtain the first set of informationfrom a package or container that contains a composite material.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22 wherein the composite material reader module includesa component that is selected from the group consisting of a bar codereader, a QR code reader, and an NFC tag reader.
 24. The system of claim22 wherein the composite material reader module includes at least oneoptical scanner.
 25. The system of claim 22 wherein the first, second,third, and fourth sets of one or more communication modules are eachselected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBeemodules. 26-30. (canceled)
 31. A radiometry system for use in dentalapplications comprising: a. a radiometer comprising a detector cell, amicroprocessor, and a memory module; b. a curing light that is used togenerate light; c. a composite material reader module; and d. arestoration data storage device; wherein each of the radiometer, curinglight, composite material reader module, and restoration data storagedevice is configured to wirelessly transmit or receive information viaBluetooth, Wi-Fi, or ZigBee; wherein the microprocessor is configured torecord information for storage on the memory module; wherein theintensity of the light generated by the curing light is not controlledby the radiometer; and wherein the radiometer is programmed to determinethe change in a rate of cure of a light-curable composite material andthereby determine whether an optimum cure time has been reached for thelight-curable composite material.
 32. The system of claim 31 wherein theinformation includes a first set of information obtained from a packageor container that contains a light-curable composite material.
 33. Thesystem of claim 32 wherein the radiometer is programmed to send a signalto the curing light when the optimum cure time has been reached and thecuring light is programmed to automatically turn off immediately uponreceipt of said signal.
 34. The system of claim 33 wherein the compositematerial reader module includes a component that is configured to obtainthe first set of information from a package or container that contains acomposite material.
 35. The system of claim 34 wherein the compositematerial reader module includes a component that is selected from thegroup consisting of a bar code reader, a QR code reader, and an NFC tagreader.
 36. The system of claim 34 wherein the composite material readermodule includes at least one optical scanner.
 37. The system of claim34, wherein the composite material reader module determines andwirelessly transmits the first set of information, and wherein the firstset of information includes one or more of: a. a depth of therestoration; and b. a curing time.
 38. The system of claim 37, whereinthe composite material reader module determines and wirelessly transmitsthe first set of information, and wherein the first set of informationfurther includes one or more of: c. a type of material; d. amanufacturer of the material; e. a serial number of the material; f. alot code number of the material; g. a use-by date or expiration date ofthe material; and h. specification information for the material.
 39. Thesystem of claim 38 wherein the restoration data storage device isconfigured to obtain a second set of information, wherein the second setof information includes one or more of: i. a name of a patient; and j. adate of placement of a restoration.